Wow factor. Atlas Industries is definitely on our Top 10 Adjustable Shelving List. Combining the strength and thin lines of steel with the warmth and texture of wood, the AS4 shelving is the perfect solution to a modern apartment without going all hi-tech and industrial. It is totally adjustable and expandable from bookshelves to workspace to storage...
Atlas Industries was conceived by Thomas Wright and Joseph Fratesi in 1993 with the intent to provide architectural, furniture and product design services, but their primary focus is on the design, development and production of their furniture.
Featured in Dwell Magazine way back in the day in 2004, the expert advice from Karen Rinaldi still rings true: These are perfect bookshelves. They're beautiful. They have that old library feel but look modern. They don't scream "look at me." They look like they're there to hold the books. These are the ones I'd be buying. I love that you can integrate them with a desk and drawers -- it's an ingenious system.
Prices? Not cheap -- definitely in the few thousand dollar range. The shelves are probably more aspirational than attainable for most people, but man...they're sure nice to look at.
>>Originally reviewed by Maxwell on 11.11.04 (12 Comments)
| Location: |
333 Douglas Street
Brooklyn,
NY
11217
|
|---|---|
| Phone: |
718.596.5045
|
| Website: | www.atlaseast.com |
| Categories: | bookcases & shelves |
|---|
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Their prices are INSANE! OVER 500 for a single drawer?? You'd be better off with a vintage version of these wall units. They only go for about 600-1300
http://cgi.ebay.com/danish-teak-scandinavian-wall-unit-shelving-system-cado_W0QQitemZ250312100044QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item250312100044&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
view Comicgeek's profile
I have a wall system from Atlas, and yes, it was very expensive (you can price out any combination you want on their interactive web site). But they are made by hand, they are beautiful, you can move them if you move apartments (even though they look built in), and they are made to last forever. That's what I invested in, and that's what I got, and I couldn't be happier with the artistry and beauty.
view petie's profile
nice but too expensive...similar concept with the container store elfa shelving
view cscamp20's profile
Too expensive and yes they can be seen as an investment - but come on. We all know about this system. Thanks Comicgeek for the post on the alternative.
view Schniffy's profile
cool looking shelves but definitely overpriced.
view Tabitha (From Single to Married)'s profile
Just curious, if this is in the "Top 10" for modular shelving, who are the other 9? This is a serious question - I'm in the market for a wall of shelving for books, cd's etc. and as this system may be a bit spendy I'm looking for alternatives.
view Tobermory's profile
Tobermory, here's Maxwell's Top 10 Modular Shelves list. It's a good place to start.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/top-ten/top-10-modular-shelving-systems-024314
view CambriaNYAT's profile
Meh.
They only look good stuffed with books, like in the first picture.
view jakelegs's profile
I'm surprised that the Rakks shelving system hasn't been mentioned (and isn't featured in the modular shelving Top 10 list). IMO, the Rakks uprights and brackets look just as nice as the AS4 ones, for 1/20th of the price of AS4 price. One can easily combine them with Ikea shelves to save money or any custom shelves or cabinetry.
view particlebored's profile
They are beautiful. But I agree that their pricing, even for the quality they are, is totally insane. You really can't justify their prices even as an investment. Why is it that, all too often, the cleaner and more simple the design, the more overpriced the product?
view Torgny's profile
Are there any other (more affordable) wall shelves with upturned edges, or built in book ends, or whatever they should be called--as in most of these pictures? Also hopefully made with real wood...
view sphinxie's profile